Will  America  Fulfill 
H er  Solemn  Pledge 
To  The  Filipino  People 


INDEX 


Page 

Will  You  Follow  Their  Advice? 3 

What  the  Filipinos  Say 4 

What  the  American  Press  Says 7 

Preamble  to  the  Jones  Law 13 

Official  Statement  of  the  Governor  General.  12 

From  President  Wilson’s  Last  Annual  Mes- 
sage   13 

Some  Facts  About  the  Philippines 13 

Loyalty  of  the  Filipino  People  in  the  World 
War  14 

First  Christian  Republic  in  the  East 1.5 

Greatest  Example  International  Square 
Dealing  15 

Gratitude  15 


Vt  lLL  YOU  FOLLOW  THEIR  ADVICE  ? 


George 

Washington: 

“Observe  good  faith  and  jus- 
tice toward  all  Nations. ” 

Daniel 

Webster: 

“No  matter  how  easy  may  be 
the  yoke  of  a foreign  power,  no 
matter  how  lightly  it  sits  upon 

the  shoulder,  if  it  is  not  imposed  by  the  voice 
of  his  own  nation  and  of  his  own  country,  he 
will  not,  he  cannot,  and  he  means  not  to  he 
happy  under  its  burden.” 


Abraham 

Lincoln: 

“Those  who  deny  freedom  to 
others  deserve  it  not  for  them- 

selves,  and  under  a just  God 
cannot  long  retain  it.” 

Thomas  “The  people  of  every  country 


Jefferson: 

are  the  only  safe  guardians  of 
their  own  rights.” 

Grover 

Cleveland: 

“The  government  of  remo’e 
and  alien  people  should  have  no 
permanent  place  in  the  pur- 

poses  of  our  national  life.” 


William 

McKinley: 

“The  Philippines  are  ours  not 
to  subjugate,  but  to  emanci- 

pate.” 

Wm.  Howard  “The  Philippines  are  for  the 


Taft: 

Filipinos.” 

Theodore 

Roosevelt: 

“*  * * The  time  will  com.e 
when  it  will  be  wise  td  take  their 

own  judgment  as  to  whether 
they  (the  Filipinos)  wish  to  continue  their  as- 
sociation with  .\merica  or  not.  * * * If,  after 
due  time,  the  Filipinos  decide  that  they  do  not 
wish  to  be  thus  governed,  then  I trust  that  we 
will  leave.” 


3 


Admiral  “In  my  opinion,  these  people 

Dewey:  (the  Filipinos)  are  far  superior 

in  intelligence  and  more  capable 
of  self  government  than  the  natives  of  Cuba.  I 
am  familiar  with  both  races.”  * * * 

Woodrow  “Everj"  people  should  be  left 

Wilson:  free  to  determine  its  own  policj', 

its  own  waj"  of  development, 
unhindered,  unthreatened,  unafraid,  the  little 
along  with  the  great  and  powerful.” 


WHAT  THE  FILIPLXOS  SAY: 

“Gladly  do  I go  to  expose  mj^self  to  peril 
and  to  myself  offer  the  example  of  which  I 
have  always  preached.  I hold 
Dr.  Jose  duties  of  conscience  above  all 

P.  Rizal,  else.  Besides,  I wish  to  show 

Martyred  those  who  deny  us  patriotism 

Hero,  in  His  that  we  know  how  to  die  for 
Farewell  to  duty  and  principles.  Whatever 
His  People:  be  my  fate,  I will  die  blessing 

my  beloved  country  and  wish- 
ing her  the  dawn  of  her  redemption.” 


“Thou  shalt  strive  for  the  in- 
Mabini,  the  dependence  of  thy  country;  for 

Brains  of  the  only  thou  canst  have  any  real 

Revolution  interest  in  her  advancement  and 

Against  exaltation.  Her  independence 

Spain:  constitutes  thy  only  liberty;  her 

advancement,  thy  perfection; 
and  her  exaltation,  thy  own  glory  and  immor- 
tality. 


4 


“Thou  shall  strive  for  a Republic  and  never 
for  a Monarchy  in  thy  country;  for  the  latter 
exalts  one  or  several  families  and  founds  a 
dynasty,  while  the  former  makes  a people  no- 
ble and  worthy  through  reason,  great  through 
liberty,  prosperous  and  brilliant  through  labor." 


“I  have  kept  the  oath  I made  to  the  United 
States  not  to  talk  politics,  but  now  that  the 
Americans  are  asking  the  views 
Emilio  of  the  Filipinos,  I will  reply: 

Aguinaldo,  Our  people  are  happy,  content- 
President  of  ed  and  more  prosperous  than 
Philippine  they  ever  dreamed  of  becoming 
Republic,  as  the  result  of  American  rule. 
1898-1901.  The  schools  have  taught  them 
to  think,  and  industries  and 
commerce  have  shown  them  the  rew'ards  of 
work.  Now  we  want  the  independence  which 
was  promised  to  us.” 


.\ddressing  Senor  Gabaldon,  said:  “We  urge 
you  in  your  capacity  as  Resident  Commis- 
sioner to  the  United  States  to 
tell  the  Congress  and  the  peo- 
ple of  that  noble  country  that 
we  who  are  gathered  here  to- 
day would  prefer  to  be  the  low- 
est and  humblest  citizens  of  the 
Philippines  with  independence 
in  our  hands,  than  the  leaders 
that  we  now  are  in  our  country  under  the  tute- 
lage of  another  country.” 


Sergio 
Osmena, 
Speaker  of 
the  House 
of  Repre- 
sentatives: 


5 


“Independence  is  the  national  ideal  of  the 
Filipino  people.  Agitation  for  it  will  never  end 
until  it  is  granted;  therefore, 
Manuel  L.  early  action  is  in  the  interest  of 

Quezon,  both  peoples.  If  we  are  grant- 

President  of  ed  our  independence  there  never 
the  Senate:  will  be  the  slightest  discrimina- 

tion against  American  citizens 
and  American  business.  They  will  have  every 
protection  accorded  our  own  people  and  our 
own  business.” 

Jaime  C.  “The  American  promise  of  in- 

de  Veyra,  dependence  for  the  Philippines 
Resident  is  not  the  exclusive  patrimony 

Commissioner  of  any  political  party.  Both 
to  the  United  Republicans  and  Democrats  are 
States:  responsible  for  it.  It  is  the 

policy  of  the  American  people." 

“I  wish  to  be  careful  to  emphasize  that  the 
Filipino  people  have  very  friendly  feelings  to- 
ward the  United  States.  We 
Isauro  realize  more  than  any  one  else 

Gabaldon,  that  you  have  rendered  us  a 
Resident  great  service  in  assisting  us  to 

Commissioner  prepare  ourselves  to  take  over 
to  the  United  the  responsibilities  that  will 
States:  come  with  independence.  We 

are  practically  unanimous,  how- 
ever, in  desiring  a Philippine  republic,  and  we 
desire  it  for  precisely  the  same  reasons  that 
you  Americans  desire  a republic.” 


6 


HAT  THE  AMERICAN  PRESS  SAYS: 


National  * * It  will  be  in  line  with 

Sincerity  our  traditions  as  well  as  our 

Not  a promises,  to  grant  independence 

Fiction:  to  the  Filipinos.  To  do  this 

will  set  a good  example  to  im- 
perialistic nations  and  prove  to  the  world  that 
national  sincerity  is  not  a fiction.’"  * * * — 
Record.  Seattle,  Wash.,  February  18,  1920. 

“*  * * The  Filipino  to  date  has  shown 

rather  unusual  forbearance  in  the  face  of  our 
delay  in  meeting  his  demand,  or 
Not  even  considering  it  in  the  light 

Ungrateful:  of  altered  world  conditions.  He 

is  not  ungrateful  for  all  that  we 
have  done  for  him,  and  speaks  of  us  as  a ‘no- 
ble nation.’  ” * * * — Herald,  Washington,  D. 
C,  April  2.1,  1920. 


“Philippine  independence  is  not  a problem 
for  the  .American  people  to  solve.  The  ques- 
tion of  independence  for  these 
Liberty  islands  has  already  been  settled 

Bell:  affirmativelj’  in  the  minds  of 

most  of  the  .American  people. 
Independence  Hall,  with  its  Libertj'  Bell,  would 
fall  to  the  ground  if  we  took  any  other  view 
of  the  matter.’’ — Times,  Berkeley,  Cal.,  Febru- 
ary 23,  1920. 

The  “♦  ♦ • But  ultimately  the 

Philippines  principle  laid  down  by  President 
for  the  Taft  when  he  was  governor 

Filipinos:  general,  ‘The  Philippines  for  the 

Filipinos,’  will  be  vindicated  and 
they  will  take  their  place  in  the  family  of  na- 


tions.” — Herald,  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  April 
27,  1920. 

Independence  “The  people  of  the  Philippine 
for  Islands  should  have  their  inde- 

Philippines.  pendence.  Are  we  ready  to  play 
the  role  toward  the  Philippines 
that  England  plays  for  the  retention  of  Ire- 
land?’— Times,  South  Bend,  Ind.,  December 
11,  1920. 

America  “We  believe,  really,  in  the 

Sincere.  policy  of  self-determination  and 

the  right  of  a people  to  control 
the  conditions  under  which  they  live.” — News 
Index,  Evanston,  111.,  December  9,  1920. 

“*  * * Give  the  Eilipinos  their  independence 
now  when  they  are  asking  for  it.  Don’t  wait 
until  we  turn  their  patience  into 
Don’t  Wait:  hatred.  America  has  done  a 

great  thing  for  the  Filipinos  in 
releasing  them  from  Spain  and  in  helping  them 
toward  self-government.  We  believe  these 
people  appreciate  this  service  by  the  United 
States.  We  should  crown  the  service  by  mak- 
ing good  on  the  promise  to  set  them  entirely 
free.” — Republican,  Plymouth,  Ind.,  December 
7,  1920. 

♦ * "phe  solemn  pledge  of  the  United 
States  has  been  given  the  Filipinos.  This 
pledge  will  be  kept  surely  as  ' 
United  States  was  the  promise  made  to  Cuba 
Keeps  Its  to  respect  its  independence.  The 
Word:  United  States  frequently  adds 

proof  to  the  well  established 
fact  that  it  keeps  its  word.” — Star  News,  Pasa- 
dena, Cal.,  June  29,  1920. 


8 


“*  * * It  is  inconsistent  for  Americans  to 
boast  of  true  liberalism  and  to  prate  about  the 
right  of  independence  of  other 
Inconsistent:  peoples  and  then  close  their 

ears  to  the  claims  of  people 
under  its  own  Hag.  The  giving  of  the  Fili- 
pinos independence,  even  if  they  are  clearly 
demonstrated  to  be  capable  of  going  it  alone, 
will  be  hard  eiiough  because  it  is  the  history 
of  the  world  that  nations  or  people,  once  get- 
ting a grip  on  another's  territory,  hate  to  ever 
let  go.  We  in  .\merica  have  our  share  that 
has  that  characteristic.” — Times,  Scranton,  Pa., 
July  2,  1920. 

“*  * * The  Philippine  Islands  are  rich  in 
resources,  ’tis  true,  but  the  people  who  inhabit 
that  country  have  as  much  right 
Right  to  to  guide  their  own  destiny  as 

Guide  Own  this  country  did  in  running  her 

Destiny:  own  affairs  when  it  threw  off 

the  yoke  of  the  English  oppres- 
sion.”—Wincham  Leader,  Fergus  County, 
Montana,  October  3,  1919. 

“Somewhat  belated  is  the  action  of  the 

.\merican  Chamber  of  Commerce  at  Manila 
declaring  in  favor  of  territorial 
Pledged  government  for  the  Philippines 

to  Let  under  .\merican  sovereignty. 

Filipinos  * ♦ ♦ position  now  taken 

Go:  by  these  commercial  interests 

is  a reversal  of  policy  they  have 
followed  for  years.  They  have  been  against 
any  e.xtension  of  home  rule  for  the  Philippines. 
They  have  opposed  proposals  for  placing  the 
islands  under  colonial  rule  or  territorial  gov- 
ernment. They  have  urged  rather  that  there 
be  no  concessions  made  to  the  Filipinos,  who. 
they  claimed,  were  unfit  to  participate  to  any 
large  extent  in  conducting  their  own  affairs. 
* * * No  better  evidence  that  the  Filipinos 
are  progressing  rapidly  in  government  ability 
could  he  given  than  the  declaration  of  the 
.American  Chamber  of  Commerce  that  the  na- 
tives are  ready  now  for  territorial  government. 


9 


* * * We  have  pledged  ourselves  to  let  the 
Filipinos  go  if  they  so  desire.  * ♦ * They 
should  have  the  option  of  all  choices — indepen- 
dence, territorial  rule  and  becoming  a do- 
minion. It  is  not  a fair  test  to  us  or  them  to 
confine  them  to  two  choices.” — News,  Newark, 
N.  J.,  August  18,  1920. 

Government  “*  * * There  are  many  who 
Similar  believe  that  the  best  interests 

to  Cuban  of  both  the  islands  and  this 
Government:  country  would  be  served  if  they 

set  up  a government  of  their 
own,  under  our  protection,  similar  to  the  Cuban 
government.” — News,  Shreveport,  La.,  October 
2,  1920. 

“*  * * Every  evidence  seems  to  point  to 
the  fact  that  a stable  government  has  been  es- 
tablished in  the  Philippine  Is- 
Sacredly  lands.  The  governor  general  of 

Promised:  the  islands,  an  American  of- 

ficial, has  officially  certified  to 
that  fact,  and  his  conclusions  must  be  accepted 
as  authoritative.  The  Jones  Law.  passed  after 
we  took  possession  of  the  islands,  definitely 
promised  the  Filipinos  their  independence  just 
as  soon  as  they  had  established  a stable  gov- 
ernment of  their  own.  They  now  claim  that 
that  time  has  arrived.  We  have  been  in  pos- 
session of  the  islands  so  long  that  we  have 
begun  to  assume  that  they  are  ours  of  divine 
right,  and  that  our  authority  over  them  ought 
not  to  be  and  cannot  be  questioned,  forgetting 
that  even  in  the  flush  of  imperialism  that  swept 
over  the  country  after  the  Spanish  American 
war,  we  definitely  and  sacredly  promised  that 
we  would  withdraw  from  the  islands  as  soon 
as  we  could  be  convinced  that  they  could  look 
out  for  themselves.  * * *” — Herald,  Miami, 
Fla.,  October  25,  1920. 

Will  Be  “*  * * No  matter  how  well 

Stronger  in  a subject  people  is  treated,  it 
Orient  Than  still  hankers  after  running  its 
We  Are  Now:  own  affairs.  * * * M'hen  we  do 
turn  the  Philippines  over  to  the 


10 


Filipinos  we  will  be  stronger  in  the  Orient  than 
we  are  now.  * * — News,  Hutchinson,  Kan., 

November  17,  1920. 

“*  * * The  Filipinos  want  their  indepen- 
dence, and  they  are  entitled  to  it  exactly  as 
the  thirteen  .American  colonies 
Distinct  were  entitled  to  their  indepen- 

Race;  dence  in  177(i — because  they 

wanted  it.  Of  course,  the  United 
States  is  not  misgoverning  the  Filipinos,  nor 
is  it  oppressing  them.  The  fact  that  a people 
desires  independence  is  sufficient  cause  for 
giving  it  to  them,  particularly  when  that  people 
is  a distinct  race,  far  separated  geographically 
from  the  governing  power.  By  all  means,  let 
us  give  the  Filipinos  their  independence  with- 
out tempting  them  to  fight  for  it.  ’ — Eagle, 
Wichita,  Kansas,  December  2,  1920. 

"*  * * Though  the  Filipinos  now  are  our 
friends  and  are  tractable  and  may  remain  so 
for  a considerable  period,  a time 
Let  Them  will  come  when  their  plea  for 
Have  It  Now:  independence  will  be  revised 
into  a demand.  demand  it 
cannot  recognize  and  retain  its  self-respect. 
In  such  an  event  it  would  have  to  suppress  a 
rebellion,  and  such  a war  would  not  enhance 
either  the  dignity  or  the  self-respect  of  the 
United  States.  \Ve  might  have  an  Ireland  on 
our  hands.  .And  as  the  Filipinos  hold  they  arc 
well  prepared  for  independence  why  not  let 
them  have  it  now  and  avoid  prospective 
trouble?” — Press,  Grand  Rapids,  ^lich.,  De- 
cember 1,  1920. 

For  It:  granting  inde- 

pendence to  the  Filipinos,  we 
are  heartily  for  it.  * * *” — Chicago  Tribune, 
December  9,  1920. 


\ 


11 


Preamble  to  the  Jones  Law 
August  29,  1916. 

“*  * * Whereas,  it  is,  as  it  has  always  been, 
the  purpose  of  the  people  of  the  United  States 
to  withdraw  their  sovereignty  over  the  Phil- 
ippine Islands  and  to  recognize  their  indepen- 
dence as  soon  as  a stable  government  can  be 
established  therein,  * * 


Official  Statement  of  the  Governor 
General  of  the  Philippine  Islands 

“*  * * In  my  opinion,  during  these  two  and 
a half  years,  the  Filipinos,  having  been  given 
an  opportunity,  have  satisfactorily  demonstrat- 
ed the  fact  that  they  have  already  established 
and  are  maintaining  the  stable  form  of  gov- 
ernment which  is  prescribed  in  the  preamble  of 
the  Jones  Bill  as  a prerequisite  to  their  inde- 
pendence.”— Francis  Burton  Harrison,  April 
17,  1919. 


From  President  ilson’s  Last  Annual 
INIessage  to  Congress: 

“*  * * Allow  me  to  call  your  attention  to 
the  fact  that  the  people  of  the  Philippine 
Islands  have  succeeded  in  maintaining  a stable 
government  since  the  last  action  of  the  Con- 
gress in  their  behalf,  and  have  thus  fulfilled 
the  condition  set  by  the  Congress  as  precedent 
to  a consideration  of  granting  independence  to 
the  islands. 

“I  respectfully  submit  that  this  con- 
dition precedent  having  been  fulfilled, 
it  is  now  our  liberty  and  our  duty  to 
keep  our  promise  to  the  people  of 
those  islands  by  granting  them  the  in- 
dependence which  they  so  honorably 
covet.” — December  8,  1920. 


12 


SOME  FACTS  ABOUT  THE 
j PHlLlPPli\ES 

Population;  The  Filipino  people  number 

I 10,350,640,  of  which  9,495,273 

are  Christians  and  only  9 per  cent  non-Chris- 
tians. 

Christians:  They  have  been  Christians  for 

300  years  and  have  a culture  and 
refinement  that  will  compare  very  favoraljly 
with  that  of  other  nations. 

English  is  taught  exclusively  in  the  Philip- 
pine public  schools.  Two  million  natives  now 
speak  English  fluently,  and 
i|  English:  there  are  800,000  English-speak- 

i ing  children  in  the  public 

! schools.  It  is  destined  to  be  the  national  lan- 
guage. 

I Seventy  per  cent  of  the  inhabitants  of  the 
Philippines  over  ten  years  of  age,  according  to 
a census  just  completed,  are 
Literacy:  literate.  This  is  a higher  per- 

centage of  literacy  than  that  of 
any  South  .American  country,  higher  than  that 
of  Spain,  and  higher  than  that  of  any  of  the 
new  republics  of  Europe,  whose  independence 
is  being  guaranteed  by  the  .Allies. 

The  Filipino  people  are  unanimous  in  their 
desire  for  independence.  Whenever  they  are 
called  upon  to  deposit  their  bal- 
I Unanimous  lots  they  have  always  ratified 
I Desire  for  this  aspiration.  No  candidate 
Independence:  can  be  elected  to  any  office 
whatsoever  in  the  Philippines, 
no  matter  how  rich  he  may  be  or  how  pleasing 
I a personality  he  may  possess,  unless  he  makes 
a clear  and  frank  statement  to  the  electorate 
' that  he  will  work  for  immediate  independence. 

I Every  session  before  adjournment  representa- 
I tives  in  the  legislature  go  on  record  officially 
I as  desiring  independence. 


13 


The  Filipinos  declare  the^-  have  no  grudge  or 
grievance  against  the  American  people.  Their 
appeal  is  accompanied  by  a 
Filipinos  Are  message  of  friendship  and  grati- 
Grateful  tude  for  all  that  America  has 

to  U.  S.  done  for  them.  Thej'  point  out 

that  Uncle  Sam  gave  indepen- 
dence to  Cuba,  and  they  hope  that  they,  too, 
will  receive  that  boon,  without  which,  they  de- 
clare, no  civilized  and  patriotic  people  can  en- 
joy the  maximum  of  happiness  and  self-respect. 

On  October  16,  1917,  the  date  of  its  open- 
ing session,  the  Philippine  Legislature  by  joint 
resolution  pledged  its  loyalty  and  support  to 
the  United  States,  sending  the  following  mes- 
sage to  the  President; 

“The  Philippine  Legislature  deems  it  a duty 
incumbent  upon  it  to  voice  the  unequivocal  ex- 
pression of  the  loyalty  of  the  people  of  these 
islands  to  the  cause  of  the  United  States  of 
America  in  the  present  war  and  in  this  solemn 
manner  to  ratify  and  transmit  the  same  to  thi- 
.•\merican  people.  We  realize  that  in  this  war 
there  are  being  tried  in  the  balance  the  great- 
est principles  of  humanity  and  right  which  in 
future  will  be  the  foundation  of  the  stability, 
peace,  and  security  of  all  nations,  whether  they 
be  great  or  small,  or  belong  to  one  race  or 
another. 

“Our  loyalty  to  the  cause  is  based  on  the 
evident  justice  of  the  enforced  intervention  of 
the  .\merican  people  in  this 
Loyalty  of  war,  in  which  thej’  have  been 
the  Filipino  guided  solely  by  the  supreme 
People  in  the  interest  of  defending  universal 
World  War;  democracy  and  upholding  the 
right  of  small  nations  to  live  in 
confidence  and  security  under  their  own  gov- 
ernments, safe  from  the  threats  and  perils  of 
autocracy'  and  imperialism. 

“We  firmly  believe  that  the  final  triumph  of 
democracy,  in  securing  for  the  world  the  prin- 
ciple of  nationality  for  the  benefit  of  the  small 
nations,  will,  finally,  enable  our  people  to  at- 


14 


tain  the  ideals  for  which  we  have  struggled, 
namel3%  our  constitution  into  a free  and  inde- 
pendent nation,  with  a democratic  government 
of  law  and  order,  ready  to  be  another  instru- 
ment of  democracy  and  universal  progress.” 


First  The  raising  of  the  Philippine 

Christian  Hag  over  the  First  Christian 

Republic  Republic  in  the  East,  will  go 

in  East:  down  through  the  ages  as  a 

monument  to  the  glory  and  al- 
truism of  the  American  People. 

The  plea  of  the  Filipinos  should  not  be  frus- 
trated. The  granting  of  Philippine  Indepen- 
dence will  be  the  greatest  ex- 
Greatest  ample  of  international  square 

Example  of  dealing  in  history.  The  sooner 

International  it  is  granted,  the  better  it  is 

Square  for  democracy’s  processes;  the 

Dealing  in  better  for  the  cause  of  weaker 

History:  states  throughout  the  world; 

the  better  also  for  that  new 
type  of  colonization  which  was  staged  by 
Vmerica  through  the  might  and  valor  of  her 
valiant  sons  who  followed  the  Stars  and  Stripes 
on  many  a battlefield,  and  who  died  in  the 
faith  that  the  world  would  thereafter  witness 
a better  day. 


Gratitude:  “Gratitude  (says  the  Philip- 

pine Legislature)  shall  be  the 
fundamental  factor  in  the  future  relations  be- 
tween .'\merica  and  the  Philippines.’’ 


DON’T  THROW  THIS  AWAY.  PASS  IT 
ALONG  TO  A FRIEND. 

(.Additional  copies  may  he  obtained  from  the 
Philippine  Press  Bureau.  5.51  Munsey  Build- 
ing, Washington.  D.  C.) 

RANSDELL  INCORPORATED.  PRINTERS 
WASHINGTON.  D.  C. 


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